Merry CHRISTmas

Dear Readers

I awoke this morning and felt compelled to write about putting CHRIST back into CHRISTmas as it seems that most people today yell out "HAPPY HOLIDAYs" to be politically correct. They have forgot the true meaning of Christmas which is "CHRIST's Birthday".

I don't know about you, but frankly, I'm just tired of it! In Denver this year they had the decorations out even before Thanksgiving and then the retailer's create such a mass frenzy with BLACK FRIDAY that I hate how commercialized CHRISTmas has become. It just seems like the retailers are fast forwarding the holidays so that they can ring in more sales early and make their bottom line look good.

Whether you believe the story of the Virgin Birth or not, CHRIST was born andCHRISTmas should be a time of being with your family, forgiving those you feel have hurt you and sharing your blessings with those less fortunate................and let's face it, this year there are many families I'm sure right in your own neighborhood who could use some help.

So I challenge you for the next 2 days to greet everyone you meet with a "Merry CHRISTmas" and let someone else be politically correct!!

DOW Down - feeling DIZZY, too?

Are you as 'dizzy' as I am trying to survive the dips in the DOW?

As a kid, I loved amusement parks, but hated the roller-coaster. Oh, I tried several over the years but always came off it with a queasy stomach and promise to never try it again.

BUT isn't that just like what we're going through again with the Stock Market??? We survive one crisis, only to get back in the Market?
I fared well in the crash of 2008 and managed to sell a few stocks this time prior to Monday's crash.........but still I can't shake that sick-to-my-stomach feel every time I turn on CNN.
As a Boomer who depends on interest and dividend income, I find this situation so upsetting because you can't seem to make money anywhere nowadays.

So, Boomers tell me......what are you doing with your extra money nowadays with CDs paying ZIP and the market in total chaos?

Any ideas where I can make some good interest income?

Warning - New Active Adult Communities

It's going on 3 months now that my home has been FOR SALE and frankly, it's been an exhausting process to keep it "show ready". I continually get positive feedback from prospective buyers, with the only complaint being 'no basement'.

The main lesson I've learned from buying in a new Active Adult Community is to make sure your contract doesn't include the clause "subject to builder's discretion, product line make-up of community can change".

In their lingo, 'product line' means the type of homes built in your community - like attached villas versus single family homes. That was my biggest mistake in buying in this community as the builder significantly deviated from the original plan for 4-plex homes with no basements by reducing the number from 200 down to 20! That makes my home without a basement seem like an oddity, when in fact it's a perfect home for a single Boomer or snowbird couple.

So, as many of my friends here in Colorado have thanked me for being able to learn from my mistake....you can too! I'd highly recommend buying a re-sale property in a completely sold out community. While buying in a built out subdivision, you might pay a little more than if you got in on the ground floor; at least you'll know what the completed project looks like and can better determine what homes in that area will resell the quickest.

BAJA SUR, MEX

If you want sun and adventure in your retirement destination, then check out Baja Sur, Mexico. Tourism is booming with the area concentrating on attracting more people from the East Coast to check it out as a permanent retirement spot.

Due to its unique position as the second largest port for cruise ships, Los Cabos plans to offer a wide variety of boating and golf activities for residents and tourists alike. According to ex-pats, they love the fact that the communities south of the border, such as La Mission, offer retirees affordable medical and health care, with both office visits and prescriptions being less expensive.

Recently, 70 U.S. expats now living in Baja met at the Rosarito Beach Hotel to discuss ways to promote Baja as many have been Americans are concerned about violence. Truth is that violence occurs only in about 5% of the country and not in Baja.
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/news-ticker/2011/jun/15/expats-look-to-improve-image-of-baja/

In addition to the vibrant social life with options ranging from a local Theatre Guild to concerts, golf resorts, and a constant variety of festivals and rodeos. For the more active sportsmen, Baja also has some of the best surfing and fishing in the world and marinas to support their hobbies.
For additional info about the area check out: http://www.marinas.fonatur.gob.mx/en/index_rutas.asp